Drunken Flower Room - Chapter 13

The mistress and servant exchanged bewildered glances, each seeing confusion in the other’s eyes. 

Yue Wan hesitated before saying, “By proper etiquette, the Madam must have someone guide Young Master Zhou around the residence, right? Even if he doesn’t enter your courtyard, they’ll still have to point out which one is yours, won’t they?” 

“That’s simple. Just have someone randomly point to a courtyard and say it’s mine,” Su Rong instructed Yue Wan. “Go tell Mother to stop fussing; I’m not moving.” 

In truth, back when she burned her mother’s Warm Fragrance Pavilion, the Matriarch had, in a fit of anger, sent her to this small courtyard. Su Rong had only lived here for about a month before the Matriarch prepared the west wing courtyard for her. Naturally, Su Rong refused to move, not wanting to live under her watchful gaze, infuriating the Matriarch to the point of giving up on her entirely. 

Yue Wan whispered hesitantly, “Is this really okay?” 

“Just tell her that the Duke Protector’s attitude is the Duke Protector’s attitude. As for Zhou Gu’s attitude, we don’t know it yet. There’s no need to go overboard. What if Zhou Gu doesn’t like me? Our family neither steals nor cheats, and Father doesn’t take bribes. There’s no reason to ingratiate ourselves with Zhou Gu,” Su Rong reasoned. 

Finding her logic convincing, Yue Wan turned and left. 

When the Matriarch heard this, she was so enraged that she came to confront Su Rong in person. The moment she saw her, she launched into a tirade. “Let me tell you, in the past, I didn’t bother with you because I never thought you’d actually marry into the Duke Protector’s household. But now that they’re fully supportive of this marriage, you must take it seriously. Zhou Gu’s attitude doesn’t matter, you still need to adjust yours!” 

Knowing the servants wouldn’t dare drag Su Rong, the Matriarch grabbed her wrist herself, gripping it tightly as she pulled her out of the room. “From today onwards, you’ll live in my west wing courtyard, learn proper etiquette, and learn to manage the household. Even if you have to fake it, you better make it look convincing. Otherwise, I’ll die in front of you!” 

Startled by the escalation, Su Rong stammered, “Mother, are you seriously threatening me with your life? Isn’t that a bit much?” 

“I mean it. If you don’t listen to me, watch me die right here,” the Matriarch declared resolutely. “I’ve indulged your nonsense for years because I’m your mother, but isn’t that enough?” 

Su Rong, seeing her sincerity, wilted immediately. “You really are an amazing mother.” 

The Matriarch huffed, “Don’t mock me.” 

Su Rong said earnestly, “I mean it. Truly.” 

And why wouldn’t she? Who else had a mother like hers? Her father must have accumulated extraordinary karma in a past life to have married such a capable woman. Just look at the concubines and daughters in the back courtyard, each of them lived well under her care. It was all thanks to the Matriarch. 

Such virtue made Su Rong feel ashamed to be her daughter. She knew she could never measure up. Deep down, she felt she was inherently bad, no fault of her mother’s. 

As they walked toward the Matriarch’s courtyard, Su Rong asked softly, “Mother, I’ve always wanted to ask, did you have someone you loved before marrying Father?” 

The Matriarch froze mid-step. “What nonsense are you spouting?” 

“Come on. If you didn’t have someone, how could you stand by and watch Father bring in one concubine after another? You even treat his mistresses and their daughters so well,” Su Rong muttered. “I’ve watched you all these years, but none of it has rubbed off on me. When I heard Zhou Gu fought over a woman, I thought the Duke Protector’s household would call off the engagement. Turns out I was wrong. But if they don’t cancel it, I want to!” 

“Have you lost your mind?” The Matriarch stopped and glared at her. “Men having multiple wives and concubines is normal. Why make life hard for other women? Once they’re in this household, they’re family. I can’t control your father, but I won’t take it out on others.” 

“So, did you or didn’t you have someone before marrying Father?” Su Rong pressed. 

The Matriarch fell silent for a moment, then resumed walking. Just when Su Rong thought she wouldn’t answer, she said, “I did.” 

That explained it. Su Rong thought, Of course. No woman could be this magnanimous unless she didn’t love her husband. 

Curious, Su Rong asked, “What happened to him? Why did you marry Father?” 

“He died.” 

Unsure if she was telling the truth, Su Rong asked directly, “Are you serious?” 

“Dead serious,” the Matriarch sighed. “He died shortly after breaking off our engagement. On his way to marry the woman he loved, he drowned saving a child who had fallen into a river. The child survived, he didn’t.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

“So, Su Rong,” the Matriarch continued, “let me tell you something. Love and romance aren’t that important. Living well is what matters, living with dignity, without grievances. Your father is a lecher, yes, but he provides for me, respects me, and ensures no one in Jiangning dares look down on me. I can throw my weight around however I like. Aside from not being able to control you, who else do I fear? What do I lack? 

“It’s better than loving someone from childhood, only to have them confess one day that they see you as a sister, not a lover. He asked me to let him go so he could marry someone else. I was heartbroken but agreed, crying all the while. Before my tears dried, he was dead. A year passed before I recovered. Then I heard that the woman he wanted to marry had moved on and married someone else, living happily ever after. So I thought, If she can move on, why can’t I? And that’s how I ended up choosing your father.” 

Su Rong: “…” 

“The Duke Protector values this marriage greatly and has been waiting for you to come of age. I don’t know how your late mother arranged this engagement, but it was her dying wish, her way of ensuring you had the best future. Your father and I could never have arranged such a match. You must take this seriously.” 

Su Rong, a sucker for emotional appeals, softened. “Mother, this feels so weird!” 

The Matriarch chuckled. “Let me put it this way: our family has been stuck in Jiangning for over a decade. Your father fails every assessment, can’t get promoted, and can’t leave for the capital. You’re our only hope to climb the social ladder and bring prosperity to the family. Your elder brother’s future career in the court depends on you. Do you understand how a good marriage can change a family’s destiny?” 

Su Rong reluctantly conceded, “Fine, fine. I’ll hold onto the Duke Protector’s household for dear life and elevate our family. Happy now?” 

“Very. And if you forget, I’ll remind you every day,” the Matriarch said with satisfaction. 

Su Rong: “…” 

The heavens want me dead.